Author: Gary Witcher

Bible

	"Remind {them} of these things," Paul urges in 2 Timothy 2:14,15, "and solemnly charge {them} in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, {and leads} to the ruin of the hearers.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."
	The Bible is more readily available to Americans today than to any other people at any time in history.  Bible study books and other aids abound.  The Internet places a world of Bible-related information literally at our fingertips.  Yet our familiarity with the Bible seems to be declining.  Perhaps it is precisely the ease of availability that propels us to complacency.  The Bible is right here.  It will still be here tomorrow if I need it.
	We recognize, of course, that this is a dangerous attitude.  What is here today may very well not be here tomorrow.  Still, we treat the Bible with indifference.
	Just what is this book that collects dust on our tables and shelves?
	The Bible was penned by about 40 men over a period of approximately 1600 years.  The first book was written in about 1500 BC and the last book was completed by AD 100.  While these men placed the words on the writing surface, the Bible was actually written by the Holy Spirit.
	"But the Helper," Jesus promises in John 14:26, "the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."
	"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes," the Lord adds in John 16:13, "He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 
	The Bible was written in various parts of the ancient world, possibly including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and Greece.  It was written primarily in two languages: Hebrew and Greek.  In addition, a portion from Daniel 2:4-7:28 was written in Aramaic.
	The Bible was the first book to come off a printing press.  It was already being reprinted by 1450.  When originally written the Bible did not contain chapters and verses.  It was sectioned in chapters by Cardinal Hugo in 1250.  The New Testament was divided into verses by Sir Robert Stephens in 1551.  The Bible was first printed with chapters and verses in 1560.  This edition, printed in Geneva, is sometimes referred to as the "Breeches Bible" because of the word used by the translation to describe the garments of Adam and Eve.
	The Old Testament was translated into Greek in Alexandria in about 270 BC.  This would have been the translation in common use during the time of Jesus and of the early church.  The King James Version first appeared in 1611.  Other popular translations include the Revised of 1885, the American Standard of 1901 and the New American Standard of the 1960s.  By 1966 the Bible had been translated into 240 languages and dialects.  Portions have been translated into well over a thousand tongues.
	There are two major divisions in the Bible: the Old and New Testaments.  The Old Testament covers about 4000 years from the creation to a few hundred years before Jesus.  It can be divided into four categories: law, history, poetry and prophecy.  The first five books, Genesis through Deuteronomy, are commonly referred to as "the Law" although they cover the time from the creation to the wilderness wandering.  Joshua through Esther are known as books of history, covering the story of the Hebrew nation through their return from captivity.  Job through Song of Solomon are books of poetry.  The rest of the Old Testament from Isaiah through Malachi are books of prophecy.  They are sometimes farther divided into major and minor prophets.  This distinction is not one of importance.  It actually refers simply to the lengths of the books themselves.
	The New Testament has four divisions.  Matthew through John are the Gospels.  They contain accounts of the life of Jesus. Acts records the history of the early church.  The third section of the New Testament is known as the letters or epistles.  Paul's letters to various churches are found in Romans through 2 Thessalonians.  His writings to individuals are located in 1 Timothy through Philemon.  General epistles are recorded in Hebrews through Jude.  Revelation is a book of prophecy.
	This marvelous book has been handed down to us today through divine transmission.  For example, Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit when he spoke the words recorded in the book of Acts.  Luke was guided by the Holy Spirit when he wrote those words down.  And the Holy Spirit has made sure that those writings have reached us today in a reliable form that can guide us in the Truth.

	The Bible was recorded by about 40 men in three languages over a period of about 1600 years.  But, as we have seen, it is nothing less than the inspired Word of God.
	"But know this first of all," 2 Peter 1:20,21 stresses, "that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
	"For I would have you know, brethren," Paul explains in Galatians 1:11,12, "that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but {I received it} through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
	"And for this reason we also constantly thank God," Paul expresses in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted {it} not {as} the word of men, but {for} what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."
	The Bible is the inspired Word of God.  As such, it is our source of spiritual instruction.
	"Now these things happened to them as an example," 1 Corinthians 10:11 points out, "and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
	"And that from childhood," Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:15,16, "you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." 
	The Bible is the inspired Word of God.  It is our source of spiritual instruction.  Most importantly, it is in the pages of the Bible that we find the knowledge that will lead to our salvation.
	"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching," 1 Timothy 4:16 advises, "persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."
	"Therefore putting aside all filthiness and {all} that remains of wickedness," James 1:21 urges, "in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls."
	The writer of the book of Hebrews has some valuable advice about our relationship with this our source of instruction and salvation. 
	"For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard," Hebrews 2:1-4 warns, "lest we drift away {from it.}  For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." 
	Yes, the Bible is sitting right there.  And it may still be there tomorrow.  But maybe it won't.  Or maybe it will still be there but you will not.  The Bible is the greatest book ever written.  It is the inspired Word of God for instruction and for salvation.  But it is of no use if it is left closed on a shelf.  You must open it and read it and study it and obey it if you want to be set free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."